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San Luis Potosi, Mexico
Davis Brody Bond
Photography © Jaime Navaro
The building as a metaphor for the
owner's philosophy
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"It's
a clean plant, it's well-organized, exceedingly
flexible. The architecture really feeds off that
and then reinforces it."
—David Thurm, V.P.,
Real Estate Development, New York Times
Architect
Davis Brody Bond
Client
Valeo www.valeo.com
Key
Player(s)
Arup (engineers); Lidxi Biaani (lighting); Contreras
y Asociados (general contractor)
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Program:
One of the world's largest suppliers of automotive
equipment, Valeo saw an opportunity to enhance its production
by responding to a major shift in auto production in Mexico
and locating a plant in close proximity to its clients there.
The company's decentralized structure, consisting of nine
industrial operating units and more than 100 autonomous divisions,
has created a unique corporate philosophy of equality and
communication among workers by eliminating hierarchies and
integrating departments.
Solution:
A new, 178,000-square-foot facility for the design, fabrication,
and testing of electric motor parts for automobile manufacturers
was created to foster and maintain the company's horizontal
philosophy, to integrate previously separate divisions, and
to accommodate expansion that has already doubled the size
of the facility. The project was designed and constructed
in 10 months at a cost of $66 per square foot. Featuring a
long-span, column-free structure using a modular tensile exoskeleton,
the architects demonstrated that the increased cost of such
a structure would be offset by the resulting efficiency. The
plant has allowed the company to grow and consolidate its
operations and has supported its mission to find innovative
methods to increase production and reduce costs. Also, its
one percent turnover rate for employees is considered a benchmark
in Mexico.
For more images please see the November
2002 issue or Architectural Record.
The Winners: Abercrombie
& Fitch | Allsteel
| Cellular Operations
| Gateshead
Millenium Bridge | Multi-Use
Centre | Paul
Brown Stadium | Texas
Children's Hospital | Toys
"R" Us | Trumpf
Customer & Technology Center | Univ.
of Penn. Dept. of Facilities and Real Estate | Valeo
Electrical Systems
The Finalists:
Arcs
de Seine | Boeing\
Leadership Center | Gasometer
B | Hansen
Construction Office | ING
Direct | KeySpan
Park Stadium | Matha
Stewart Living
Unbuilt Projects:
BMW Event and
Delivery Center | Hollister
Headquarters
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